STETSON – John Harold Murphy, 90, passed away peacefully Dec. 7, 2011, surrounded by family and friends at a Bangor health care facility.
He was born May 31, 1921, in Bangor, a son of Clayton and Sarah (Decker) Murphy.
He grew up in Bangor and attended schools there. John loved telling stories about his childhood and the trouble that he and the Cote boys used to get into. The Cotes treated him like family. They took him in when he had nowhere to go in his early childhood. He held many jobs throughout his lifetime such as working in the woods, driving a milk truck, masonry, carpentry, painting and furniture moving, which is where he met the love of his life, Ruth Mayhew Francis. They married in 1965 and had twin girls, Sharlene and Carlene. In 1967, another daughter, Darlene, was born. In 1971, the family moved to Stetson where John built a small farm to raise his family on. He had a special love for animals, especially dogs. After becoming disabled due to a crippling disease, he continued doing odd jobs to supplement the family income.
In addition to his wife of 47 years, he is survived by three daughters, Sharlene and husband, Sam Hill Sr., of Gardiner, Lauren and husband, Daniel LaRochelle, of Westbrook, and Darlene and husband, Aaron Chadbourne, of Palmyra; six grandchildren, Sam Jr. and fiancee, Ashley, Bryan and fiancee, Amy, Amanda and companion, Jonathan, Eliza, Shane and wife, Nada, and Nathan; great-grandchildren, Dreams, Xavier, Camara, Cheyenne, Jaylee and Jasmine; stepson, George Francis of Newport; stepgranddaughter, Paula and husband, Chris Thody, of Athens; and three great-stepgrandchildren, Patricia, Rebecca and McKayla Thody, all of Athens. John will be sadly missed by a special niece, Suzanne and husband, Dana Cushing, of Pembroke; special friends, Dee Burpee and Billy Green, both of Brewer, Bobby and Helen Frappier of Bangor; and his hunting buddies, Karl Shillings, David Bates and Floyd Friedly, all of New Jersey. John was predeceased by his brother, Clayton E. Murphy; half brother, Jim Murphy; and niece, Sandra. He was also predeceased by Tino, Rod and Monty Cote, whom he considered his “brothers.”
At his request, there will be no funeral services. Spring interment will be at the convenience of the family at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. A memorial gathering will be held 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Stetson Meeting House. Donations may be made in his memory to American Heart Association, 51 U.S. Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME
04074. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Newport. Those who wish may leave written condolences at
www.CrosbyNeal.com.